In early 2023, councillors approved the decision to reduce the number of staff monitoring cameras from 18 to nine and have cameras not fully monitored 24 hours a day.
The decision was part of the city’s overall budget when £50million of cuts were made.
The cuts to CCTV monitoring were then phased in from September last year.
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Now, city centre residents have said they fear the decision is “leaving a large gap in authorities’ ability to monitor and take action on crime”.
While the cameras still record 24 hours a day, they are left in one position for the 12 hours they are not monitored.
A spokesperson for Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) said the decision is “increasing the risk” to Community Enforcement Officers (CEOs), retailers, residents and visitors in the area during the time the CCTV cameras are not monitored.
The spokesperson said: “In the 12 hours they are not staffed, CCTV cameras simply point in one direction and cannot follow suspicious activity.
“Do Glasgow City Council and the police think no crimes happen [in those 12 hours]?”
It comes after concerns about the CCTV only being monitored for 12 hours a day were also raised at a Garnethill Neighbourhood Watch meeting which was held on Tuesday, April 2.
At the meeting Sergeant Leighann Potts, who is based in the city centre, said the decision to reduce the hours CCTV is monitored was ‘not helpful’ to police as they rely on CCTV footage for detecting crimes.
She said notes have been kept about incidents where monitored CCTV would have helped and said police were not informed of the council’s reasons for choosing the 12 hours that are monitored.
A council spokesperson said the cameras are left positioned on “priority locations” during the hours they are not monitored.
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We reported in August last year that Keir Greenaway, GMB senior organiser in public services, also criticised the decision to reduce the hours CCTV is monitored.
He said: “The potential implications of these cuts are obvious and potentially life-threatening.
“The ability of trained staff to expertly monitor and immediately respond to events unfolding on CCTV is crucial for the emergency services.
“Now, to save money, that life-saving ability to respond urgently with real-time information on the unfolding situation will be lost.
“The council should look again at these cuts and ensure the people of Glasgow are properly protected.”
MCTCC also highlighted the “decision comes against the background of Glasgow City Council’s recent substantial reduction in the number of Community Enforcement Officers”.
CEOs work in partnership with Police Scotland and carry out visible, uniformed patrols across the city.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “The public can be assured that Glasgow’s CCTV cameras continue to record 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
“Cameras are positioned on priority locations throughout the city to continue providing public reassurance and safety for citizens.
“We continue to work closely with partner agencies to ensure our resources are targeted at the busiest times.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland officers can access CCTV to conduct retrospective enquiries during the times when council staff are not on duty.”
